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The Sacred Paschal Triduum is the high point of the liturgical year. The Office of Tenebrae, prayed in the Cathedral on Wednesday evening, helps us prepare for these most sacred days.


The service includes the singing of Allegri's Miserere, a setting of Psalm 51.


Each morning of the Triduum begins with the Office of Morning Prayer.


It is always a privilege to have Archbishop Sartain with us during Holy Week.


Father Ryan incenses the holy oils at the beginning of the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.  These oils, blessed during the Chrism Mass in the Cathedral, will be used in the celebration of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil and throughout the coming year.


The entrance antiphon which we sing on Holy Thursday summarizes the whole Triduum:
"Ours it is to boast and glory only in the cross of Christ."


The Cathedral cantors lead the psalm:  "Our blessing-cup is a communion with the blood of Christ."


On Holy Thursday, Christ showed his disciples how to lead, when he knelt before them and washed their feet.  This year, because of Archbishop's recent surgery, Father Ryan washed the feet of parishioners.


"I give you a new commandment:  love one another as I have loved you."




The Elect are dismissed for the last time during the Holy Thursday Mass.


The Cathedral Choir, under the direction of interim Director of Music and Cathedral Organist Joseph Adam, prayerfully and magnificently support the liturgies of the Sacred Triduum--and of the entire year--with music.
 

The Holy Thursday Mass concludes with the Transfer of the Holy Eucharist, as the Archbishop carries the ciborium from the altar to the tabernacle, where adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will continue until Midnight.


The Women of St. James Schola sing the ancient hymn "Pange lingua":

By his word the Word almighty
Makes of bread his flesh indeed;
Wine becomes his very lifeblood;
Faith God's living Word must heed!
Faith alone may safely guide us
Where the senses cannot lead!
 
(trans. Paul Ford)




Cathedral servers, led by Celeste McDonell


Morning Prayer on Good Friday


Deacon Owen Cummings, a professor and dean at Mt Angel Seminary in Oregon, preaches on the Seven Last Words (sayings) of Christ during the Tre Ore service.




The chanting of the Passion according to Saint John during the liturgy of Good Friday of the Lord's Passion


The solemn Veneration of the Cross


The choir sings, "Holy is God!" and the people respond with the ancient acclamation:  "Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!"




The great Easter Vigil on Saturday night begins outside, with the blessing of the new fire.


The Elect to be baptized during the Vigil


Archbishop Sartain blesses the new fire


The Easter candle, the symbol of the risen Christ, is blessed.  "Christ yesterday and today, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega, all time belongs to him, and all the ages. To him be glory and power through every age and for ever." (Roman Missal)


Archbishop places five grains of incense on the cross, recalling the five wounds of Christ.
 

"May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds."




Soon the light of the Paschal candle is spread to the entire assembly.


Father Ryan chants the Exsultet, a song of praise of the resurrection of Christ:  "Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven!"


Following the Liturgy of the Word, the candles around the altar are lit and we joyfully sing the Gloria.


Through their baptism in Christ, the Elect share in the dying and rising of Christ, becoming members of his Body and living, breathing icons of the risen Christ








The entrance of the newly baptized, wearing white robes, is a joyful moment for them and for the entire assembly




After their baptism, the Elect are confirmed.  "Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence."


"Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."






Congratulations to our neophytes!




Easter morning.  "Grant that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord's Resurrection / may, through the renewal brought by your Spirit, / rise up in the light of life." (Roman Missal)


During the Easter Masses, the entire assembly is sprinkled with baptismal water, a reminder of our baptism in Christ.


The celebration of Vespers on Easter Sunday marks the conclusion of the Paschal Triduum. 
The newly-baptized join in this celebration.


The Women of St. James Schola sing at Vespers.




 Happy (and tired) members of the Women of St. James Schola on the steps of the Cathedral before the last Mass of Easter Sunday.

Happy Easter!


 

 

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804 Ninth Avenue
Seattle, Washington  98104
Phone 206.622.3559  Fax 206.622.5303